Pioneers drive Tigers out of Chillicothe
By: Eli Baxter
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WOUB) — From the moment the Zane Trace Pioneers kicked off to the Waverly Tigers Friday night, they held full control of their home field. The Pioneers finished the game with a 49-13 win over the Tigers.
Before the 2025 season, the Tigers dominated the series. Waverly won eight of its last nine matchups against Zane Trace, which included last year’s 28 to 7 victory. Though to begin the season, Waverly lost against Miami Trace 42-21 last week. On the flip side, Zane Trace dismantled Logan Elm 48-0.
Zane Trace coach Dylan Wears had his defense primed to go from the start. With the first play from scrimmage, Preseason All-GG DL Blake Brower snagged the ball from Waverly QB Gunnar Myers.
On the other side of the ball, Zane Trace only needed three plays to get FB Brice Johnson into the end zone. Johnson would eventually get three more touchdowns before the half ended, including a 56-yard house call to get the Pioneers up 27-7.
Waverly responded quickly with a touchdown of its own on the following drive as Myers slung the ball to WR Briar Barch for the touchdown. To set up the score, Barch had a 45-yard run-after-catch a few plays previous.
To add to Johnson’s scoring production, wide receivers Gunnar McCullough and Jayden Higgins ran through defenders to score and get the team’s total to 40-7 at the half.
Offense wasn’t the only key factor to Zane Trace’s win. The high-powered defense shut down Waverly coach Chris Crabtree’s offense who graduated its three top receivers and quarterback from this past season. The Pioneers took the ball away a total of three times with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Zane Trace ended the night with a 49-13 clawing of Waverly, ending the Tigers streak over the Pioneers. Johnson’s dominance continued as he rushed for 217 yards plus five touchdowns.
The Pioneers will look to carry their unbeaten streak when they are back in action on Sep. 5 when they host Amanda-Clearcreek. Waverly will also play next Friday when they look to get the team’s first win against Unioto.